Would it be safe for a string player (violin, viola, cello, bass) to learn how to play the harp?

Question

I love the harp and it's such a divine and heavenly instrument.

Answer 1

Of course! I love the harp too! It's so elegant and produces such heavenly sounds. And you won't get neighbours knocking down your door because of the 'bad sound' you're making (like for bowed strings beginners..I'm sure you know about it :p). Bear in mind that you probably need much stronger hands and fingers than you do for bowed strings, because the harp strings need a certain amount of strength to be plucked nicely so it resonates. I play the piano and even struggled to produce good sounds on the bass strings of the harp (my left hand got blisters after my first few practices). I guess if you're born with bigger hands it's an advantage, since it only means you can pluck the strings more solidly and reach bigger intervals than those with small hands (like me). Octaves to tenths are frequently demanded in the left hand for harp, because of the chords written.

Harp lessons aren't cheap, your best bet is to see if you can find a local college which has a harp ensemble, as the instructor will teach you for much cheaper rates than individual lessons. I joined my school's harp ensemble - that's how I learnt to play it. You probably want to rent a harp for the first few months if you're not sure whether you want to continue. Harps are really expensive, and unless you're 100% sure that you want to learn it seriously, go for group lessons and rented harps first.

Answer 2

How could it not be safe? I play folk and early music and play guitar, banjo, lute, mandolin, mandola and.bouzouki. I also have a small Celtic style.lap harp. It is gorgeous. I play in a local castle, and the sound fills the room. It's a Stoney End harp, made in America. Go to the Hobgoblin website to check it out. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Playing harp is safe. And, if you study, you could have a pretty sweet gig. There are not many harpists in today's world and I remember the one harpist we had a college was always in demand. She wasn't even exceptional! My advice would be get lessons, study and pursue it as a career, and start saving money - they are expensive! Oh, and get a really big car too. It's all well worth it though! A very solo instrument so you can't be timid.

Answer 4

Why would it not be safe?

Are you afraid of being killed by the instrument?

Most of the people I know that are musical are accomplished on many instruments. My brother could play any wind instrument except the oboe.

It can only help you. It can't hurt you.

Answer 5

of course! :D